New York Shitty Day Ender: A New Bodega For North Greenpoint

In addition to learning the good news about “El Blablazo”, I was pleased as punch to see the long-vacant space at 1068 Manhattan Avenue finally has a tenant. What’s more, it will be a bodega (or as I like to call them “deligros”).

Anyone who lives north of Freeman Street will attest that is there is a dearth of quality grocery stores (and many other necessities, like laundromats, for example) in far north Greenpoint. Hopefully Mini Mart will be a first step in redressing this. When will it open, you ask? I do not know— but I am going to keep swinging by until I can find someone to ask!

As it would happen when I first moved to Greenpoint I lived on Clay Street. This was close to 10 years ago. Shortly after getting settled I got sick— REALLY SICK— and needed to go to a pharmacy. This required I walk (essentially) to Greenpoint Avenue. That may not sound like a big deal to you but when you’re so dizzy you have to concentrate to walk it is. Today if I was in the same predicament I would only have to walk to Green (Lorven). I consider this to be a tremendous improvement. One which benefits everyone who lives up here.

As for the laundromat at Clay. I am familiar with it (as I patronized it for two years). It’s a nice place and the people who run it are great people. You might recall there was also a laundromat on Manhattan Avenue between Eagle and Freeman. That one closed after the owner (a really sweet old man) died. This leaves one laundromat to service the people who live on Box, Clay, Dupont and possibly Eagle Street.

I am also aware of the bodegas in this area, as I shopped at them. If I needed produce in a pinch the bodega at 1043 Manhattan Avenue usually sufficed. This bodega is closed now (and six families, possibly more are homeless) because the building is falling apart.

I do not understand understand why this post rankles you so much. I see the addition of a new bodega at Eagle as a positive thing. Perhaps it will fill in the gap left by 1043 Manhattan Avenue (which was located across the street)? If it’s open 24 hours, even better. I think another laundromat would also be a good thing, as it will relieve the traffic at San Diego Cleaners and Aphrodite created by the closure of the one I previously mentioned.

I suspect you think I am “cheering” gentrification. I’m not. I would simply like to see the people of this community given access to the “basics” our friends south of Greenpoint Avenue take for granted: groceries, laundromats, and yes, maybe one day: a bank. If you don’t think the cluster of banks there (and the dearth of them here) is not evidence of red-lining, think again. Just because north Greenpoint is less affluent (and it should be noted, sports a significant Hispanic population) does not mean they should not have these things. They should. I’m not looking for wine bars to be opened here, just the basics. I do not think this is too much to ask.

Only newbie transplants see cleanliness as gentrification. People who actually fucking live here want to see renovations. And the people who OWN THE BUSINESSES also are generally happy to be able to clean up their acts if they have enough business to warrant it, if they are reputable business owners.

When they renovated Aphrodite we went down there to see if they were better than the one closer to us,and the people who were working there were so proud & happy with the renovations. Does that make them gentrifiers too, subtexture?

There are plenty of working class folks at the far end of Greenpoint who will be thrilled to have additional commerce nearby. You can go be gritty in the south bronx if you hate cleanliness so much.

ms nomer on
Fri, 16th Oct 2009 2:24 pm

I’m glad to see more needed businesses like bodegas! And we need a bunch more laundromats too. I was bummed when my favorite on Manhattan Avenue at Java Street closed. I’d also welcome a regular old school diner restaurant up Manhattan Avenue. Triple Decker is ok but if you live beyond Greenpoint Avenue, it’s really too damn far.

subtexture on
Tue, 20th Oct 2009 12:18 pm

umm, i don’t recall mentioning anything about gentrification or cleanliness in my post.

heather said that there is a lack of bodegas in north greenpoint i was pointing out that there are actually 3 of them.
and my point about the new aphrodite, is that previously you could go in there and they would know your name
and actually did a better job at ironing my shirts. i’m not sure what happened to that couple, but i miss them.

i may not be from here but i’m far from a newbie, i’ve been in the area for 15yrs and yes change is good, i’m all for new businesses
but lets not forget the businesses that are already here.

why do people on blogs take up arms so quickly? jeez

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